30 militants killed in northwest Pakistan

At least 30 militants have been killed in a clash with security personnel in the restive Orakzai tribal region of northwest Pakistan, officials said.

The clash began on Wednesday when militants armed with automatic weapons ambushed security personnel at Goga Qamar area in Orakzai Agency.

Troops backed by gunship helicopters retaliated, killing 30 militant and destroying five rebel hideouts. Eighteen security personnel were wounded in the fighting, officials said.

Security forces cordoned off the area later and launched a search operation. In a separate development, militants blew up a medical store at Karikot in South Waziristan tribal region with a low intensity bomb on Wednesday.

The store was destroyed though there were no casualties.